Synthesis and characterization of Y2O2S:Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanorods via a solvothermal routine

Y2O2S:Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanorods were prepared by a solvothermal procedure. Rod-like Y(OH)3 was firstly synthesized by hydrothermal method to serve as the precursor. Y2O2S:Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ powders were obtained by calcinating the precursor at CS2 atmosphere. The Y2O2S:Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ phosphor with diameters of 30–50 nm and lengths up to 200–400 nm inherited the rod-like shape from the precursor after calcined at CS2 atmosphere. The Y2O2S:Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanorods showed hexagonal pure phase, good dispersion and exhibited bright red luminescence. After irradiation by 265 or 325 nm for 5 min, the phosphor emitted red long-lasting phosphorescence, and the phosphorescence could be seen with the naked eyes in the dark clearly for more than 1 h after the irradiation source was removed. It was considered that the long-lasting phosphorescence was due to the persistent energy transfer from the traps to the Ti4+ and Mg2+ ions to generate the red-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence.